Who is your teacher? Who do you rely on for spiritual truth and guidance? Do you have a favorite evangelist, Pastor, author, or spiritual teacher that you like to follow? Do you depend on a particular denomination to provide you with the truth? If you do any of these things
you may want to rethink your position and consider the scriptures outlined in this devotional.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to
satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, (2 Timothy 4:3, Amplified Bible)
It is so vitally important that each one of us have a personal relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. There is nothing wrong with having a favorite teacher, preacher, etc. as long as you know that all of these people are human and they make mistakes. They can misguide
you. It may not be intentional but the results are the same, you are misguided. The Holy Spirit does not make mistakes. He will not misguide you. He will bring to your remembrance whatever you have need of.
Now, what is our responsibility in this relationship? We have to read the Word of God for ourselves and that means all of it and often. We have to hide that Word in our heart. We have to develop a prayer life where we cannot only tell the Lord our requests but be constantly listening for the
leadership of the Holy Spirit. We have to have ears to hear and that doesn’t mean ears just to hear our favorite spiritual leaders. We need to hear His voice!!!
The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27, Amplified Bible)
As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and
is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him]. (1 John 2:27, Amplified Bible)
It is amazing to us as ministers how many times we have had some tough situations where it appeared we would have to confront people. However, before we confronted them we would pray and the Holy Spirit would confront them. Prayer is a marvelous thing!!! The Holy Spirit is our
helper and when He confronts people in love they respond a lot better than when we as humans confront them. This is a lesson for someone out there. Before you jump down someone’s throat about their behavior, make sure you talk to the Lord and give the Holy Spirit a chance to work in their life. Your prayers, your patience, and the help of the Holy Spirit, may save your relationship with this person. I can promise you this. It will change you also in the process when you see the Holy Spirit
at work in another person's life.
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